Locking means for hammer-handles



(No Model.)

H. A. BRINTON.

LOCKING MEANS FOR HAMMER HANDLES.

Patented Feb. 16, 1892.

WITNESSES T W 4% WW X 1%? 14 A1 STATES PATENT Fries.

HENRY A. BRI NTON, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCKING MEANS FOR HAMMER-HANDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,784, dated February16, 189.2.

Application filed July 20,1891. Serial No. 400,086- (No model.) i

To all'whom-it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. BRINTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLooking Means for Hammer-Handles, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inlockingmeans for hammer-handles, the peculiarities of which will behereinafter fully described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicatecorresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a partial sectional View of ahammer, the inserted handle, and side View of my locking device inposition;

Fig. 2,a sectional view on the line no no of Fig,

1, and Fig. 3 a plan view of my device by itself.

The letter A designates the heacl of a hammer or other article providedwith a socket or hole B, adapted to receive a handle 0 to be securedtherein. This is ordinarily done by means of a wedge of wood or othermaterial, adapted to spread the outer end of the handle after itsinsertion within the said hole B. This common means of fastening thehandle in the head often results in annoyance and danger from theshrinkage of the handle and the loosening of the Wedge in the use of thehammer. I propose to obviate these difficulties by a locking meansherein illustrated, which consists, essentially, of a preferablybifurcated wedge D, having a connecting cap portion E to facilitatedriving the wedge portions into the end of the handle. A series ofprojecting barbs or triangles F are formed or cast on the face of saidwedge portions, the point of each triangulation or projection beingdownward or forward and tapering both sidewise and edgewise, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, away from the wedge portions or central wedge D. Thesetriangulations present a shoulder at their rear surfaces Where they arewidest, as shown in Fig.2, which shoulder retards or prevents thewithdrawal of the device from the handle. The peculiar form ofprojecting triangulations F when driven into the handle forces thefibers of the wood outward and also edgewise, on account of thedouble-wedge shape of the same. Thus the handle is not only spreadsidewise, but edgewise also, whereby the hole or socket is completelyfilled by the fibers of the wood under the action of the driven device.This is ordinarily sufficient to lock the handle and head completely;but for greater security l have provided an additional locking means forsafety and preferably consisting of a screw Gr, inserted through acountersunk hole H in the said cap E and extending downward or inwardbetween the said bifurcated wedge portions, whereby any loosening of thelatter by shrinkageof tHe wood is completelyprevented.

The shape of the projecting portions F is such as to guide the wedgeportions as they are inserted into the handle, and it will be observedthat a large amount of holding surface is provided; also, the readyinsertion of the device is effected by a gradual increase in the amountof taper both sidewise and edgewise of said projections, as will be seenfrom Figs. 1 and 2. The projections in each series become more and moreobtuse as they recede from the entering edge.

While I have spoken of the portion D as a wedge, it need not necessarilybe wedgeshaped, but may constitute a web of other than wedge shape tosupport said projections F and be sharpened on its lower or enteringedge, asin Fig. 2.

If desired, the entering web or wedge D may be formed Withoutbifurcations and may be used without the safety-screw G. The centralopening, however, provides space into which the fibers of the wood inthe center may recede under the action of the entering wedge portionsand also allow a firmer hold thereon when engaged by the screw Gafterward inserted.

It will be observed that my device does not weaken the handle by itsattachment thereto, since it preferably does not extend below or insideof thehammer-head. The full strength of the handle at the inner side ofthe head and shank is therefore preserved.

The device is readily inserted, is simple in construction, cheap in itsmanufacture, and its utility has been practically demonstrated.

1. The combination,Withahandle and ahead to receive the same,of lockingmeans consisting of a Wedge web portion sharpened 011 its entering edgeand provided with tapering projections adapted to force the fibers ofthe wood sidewise and edgewise therefrom, the said ta- I pers being moreacute in each series as they approach the entering end, whereby thedevice maybe readily started in the Wood and will increase its effectthereon as it is driven home.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a locking device forhammer-handles, consisting of a plate portion having a head, the saidplate portion being provided with projecting barbs each having inclinedside edges adapted to push thefibers of the handle sidewise, and aninclined front face adapted to expand the front fibers away from theplate and each barb ending in a broad wide-faced shoulder at the rearend.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo witnesses.

HENRY A. BRINTONI

